How do you help a 6 girls stay focused?

Sally - posted on 03/23/2009
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I have a daughter who just turned 6 on Sunday and is having a hard time staying focused in school. Not all the time but sometimes. i would appreciate any suggestion. Numbers are hard for her and she knows her site words but when reading will put her own words in to the story by what she see in the picture. Please help!

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Nichole - posted on 03/28/2009

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One other suggestion that I use with my children-I do things in the store and car and also make up "tests" at home. Though the tests are just where my children are having problems in your case the flash cards or the math and have prizes or something special she really likes to do for after when she does well-don't make a big deal out of the ones she gets wrong but make a very big deal out of all the ones she gets right. Also, there are lots of websites on the computer that make math and reading fun-mine don't use them anymore so I don't remember them, but try to google them. My youngest daughter didn't get math and reading until the middle of her first grade year and then it was like a light bulb went on inside her head and now she's in the gifted program and on a fourth grade reading level (she's in 2nd grade) and she's doing entry level 3rd math-so hang in there mom, she'll be fine!

I have one more idea for you. Do you have a place value chart for your daughter? Her teacher should be able to give you one. Use it to represent how many tens and ones are in the numbers she is reading. Example: 23 has 2 tens and 3 ones and we read the digit in the tens place first. You can help her write the numbers in the place value chart and if needed cover the digit in the ones place until she has figured out how many tens there are. I would ask her teacher what math manipulatives they are using in the classroom. I used unifix cubes with my students and they could join 10 units together to represent their tens and add single units to them to represent the ones. I also used base ten blocks. Best wishes to you!

Taking about what she reads is a great idea, however, I would read first, THEN look at the picture, because she may interpret the picture a different way and then insert her own words/ideas even more. But talking about it is great, because it helps develop reading comprehension, being able to discuss different points of the story, details, main point, all that, which is HUGE and will help her a lot later in school. I would also decrease distractions, like tv or people. Some people need noise to distract them from quietnness, others need to find quiet. Maybe sitting at the table doesn't work for her, try a soft comfy chair elsewhere. Every person has their own unique blend of setting elements that helps them learn best. (My dad did a huge study on learning styles and environments for his doctoral thesis. Very interesting.)

Thanks for the suggestions and we have been using the an index card and having her point to the word as she says them. I haven't tried talking about the picture and then having her read the book. That's a good idea thanks. We are doing the flash cards with the humbers she tends to insert the last number first then the first number for example 18 she says 81. I think this will come as we work more with them. She has mastered up to 12 then gets confused. Right now we are doing 11-29. I will continue to work and we are having a special meeting with her teacher this week. Thanks again for your suggestions.

I'm guessing that she is still in kindergarten. A couple of things to try - provide a quiet environment when you read or do homework. Use an index card or ruler to place under the line in the book that she is reading. Children use picture clues in the book to help them learn about the story and prepare them for successful reading. Talk about the pictures and ask her what she sees or what does she think will happen. Then tell her to read and find out. Use your finger (or hold her finger) and point to the words while you read.

When she inserts her own words in to the story is she changing the meaning of the story or does the sentence she's reading still make sense? If the sentence still makes sense then the word insert isn't too much to worry about. Talk to her teacher and ask what suggestions she has. Does the teacher think she needs extra support in school? Maybe you can get her some number flash cards. Good luck!